Walsh Shines as Ruthless Australia Defeat England Aside in Opening Ashes Test
The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.
Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh
Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.
They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.
Key Moments of the Game
The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.
Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.
Final Score and Outlook
By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Substitutes: Bench players.
- Tries: Daryl Clark.
- Conversion: Mikey Lewis.
- Visitors: Starting lineup.
- Bench: Reserves.
- Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Goals: Cleary 5.